-Topics-
- Work Session
- City Council
-Work Session-
Police Station and City Hall Renovation
The Council will get an update on the proposed project to turn City Hall into a Police station and remodel the old Itemizer-Observer (IO) building for city offices. No official action will take place in this meeting, but a possible vote could come in April 2026.
Recent background: In Jan 2025, the Council voted to move forward and learn more about this remodel option. A motion to re-do the previous vote (proposed by Councilor Fitzgerald) failed in the following meeting.
There are 3 parts to this project. 1st is to remodel the old IO building for city staff use. 2nd will be getting seismic retrofit studies and designs to renovate City Hall into the Police building. The 3rd part is for the actual construction work on the Police building.
Parts 1 and 2 have been researched and are now being presented to the Council for discussion. Both parts are recommended to be completed at the same time. Part 3 would take place in the future “as the funding is available to pay for the work” (pg. 3 work session agenda).
The city got 2 quotes each for part 1 and 2 of the project. Quotes for the IO remodel came from Dalke Construction, and Woodburn Construction. Quotes for the City Hall seismic analysis and design planning came from AC & Co, and Mackenzie.
- Follow the money:
- Part 1 – Remodel IO building for city staff use
- Part 2 – City Hall seismic analysis and remodel plans
- Total project estimated
- $2,050,000 – City budgeting for the projects
The city plans to use an interfund loan to pay for the projects. An interfund loan is when the general fund borrows money from a different city fund and pays it back with interest. The new fund would be generated from a new fee called the Facility & Equipment Fee.
The city looked at a 5, 7, and 10 year loan repayment options. Possible fees ranged from $5-$8 a month. However, city staff will be recommending to the Council a 10 year debt schedule option with a $5 monthly fee to pay for the projects.
The $5 monthly Facility & Equipment Fee would also allow about $225,000 to be set aside each year for future renovations and seismic work on the Police building (part 3 of the project)
In an effort to reduce the burden of a new fee, city staff will also recommend that the Council reduce the Stormwater fee by $5. This would net a $0 increase on resident’s monthly bill.
Remember when? In Jan 2026, the Council voted to hold the Stormwater fee and cancel its automatic $2 yearly increase.
The proposed $5 decrease to the stormwater fee would create an estimated $500,000 loss to the fund over 5 years. That decrease is not expected to impact any projects in the next 5 years, but “it could delay completion of high dollar stormwater projects proposed over the next twenty-year period” (pg. 3 work session agenda).
What will happen? No action will take place. The Council will learn about the project and ask questions. A vote to approve the project is possible in April 2026.
-City Council-
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
Public Comment
This is your time to speak to your City Council, & Mayor. Each person has up to 3 minutes to speak.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the March 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 3-4
- February 2026 Financial Report – pg. 5-36
- Parks Advisory Board Appointment – pg. 37-39
Mayor and council Reports
This is a time for Councilors and the Mayor to give any reports.
City Manager report
Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center (FDAC) will speak to the Council about their involvement with some recent improvements to the Dallas Aquatic Center (DAC).
The leisure pool at the DAC was recently refinished and a kids whale slide was installed where the old fountain used to be. A video from FDAC showing this and other projects will be shared.
The staff report noted the 2 projects did go over their estimated budget. To help offset this increase, 2 future projects were moved out 1 year, and some money was contributed by FDAC.
- Follow the money:
- $85,000 – Estimated cost for 2 projects
- $131,200 – Actual cost
- $46,200 – Difference
- $16,200 – FDAC funds
- $30,000 moved from future project funds
- 2 projects moved to next year’s budget
- Replacing the locker room floors
- Tint the natatorium windows
- 2 projects moved to next year’s budget
- $46,200 – Difference
What will happen? No official action will take place. The Council will hear information from the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center about recent projects at the pool.
NW Jasper St. and W Ellendale Ave. Intersection
Improvements to the intersection at NW Jasper Street and W Ellendale Avenue will come to the Council for approval.
Specifically, the Council will decide whether to remove on-street parking along the South side of W Ellendale, between Levens St. and Jasper St.
Did you know? According to city code, the Council regulates the parking of motor vehicles.
With the removal of parking on W Ellendale Ave, dedicated east and west turning lanes can be added. A flashing beacon will also be installed with the crosswalks. Plus, a center queue lane for traffic entering and exiting the Jasper Crossing shopping center will be added.
The need for improvements at this intersection came as a result of a Traffic Impact Analysis study. The study was completed because of the nearby Tokola Properties development on James Howe Road.
The intersection project will be paid for by the ADA Ramp Program and Streets System Development Charges (SDC). The total for the project is estimated to be $123,703. $6,500 of road striping will be paid for by Tokola, due to the approval and conditions of their James Howe development.
- Follow the money:
- $123,703 – Estimated project cost
- $6,500 – Restriping paid for by developer
- $117,203 – ADA Ramp Program and Streets SDCs
- $123,703 – Estimated project cost
If the intersection project is approved, bids would go out in June 2026, and work would begin in July 2026.
What will happen? The Council will vote on whether to approve the intersection improvements at NW Jasper Street and W Ellendale Avenue.
ORDINANCES
No. 1920 – Removing the Prohibition of Non-Motorized Vehicles in the Central Business District
The Council have a 1st reading of an ordinance to repeal a ban of non-motorized vehicles on downtown city sidewalks.
The codes (Dallas City Code Section 6.700 & 6.710) ban scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and bicycles on sidewalks on specific streets in downtown. It also included fines for those found guilty.
Background on the code review: In Jan of this year, the Council started their full review of city codes. The first 3 topics were then assigned to standing committees of the Council for discussion.
The Public Works Committee (standing committee of the Council) discussed this topic in their Feb 2026 meeting and agreed to suggest it’s removal.
What will happen? The Council will have the 1st reading of the ordinance to repeal the ban of non-motorized vehicles on downtown sidewalks. A 2nd reading and vote to adopt is scheduled for April 6, 2026. If adopted, it would be effective on May 6th. 2026.
-More Information-
Learn more: View the entire work session agenda & city council agenda for a lot more information.
Attend the meeting: Come attend City Council meeting in person. On Monday, March 16th, 2026. Work Session starts at 6:00 pm & City Council starts at 7:00 pm at City Hall in downtown Dallas, Oregon. You are free to come and leave whenever during the meeting.
Livestream: You can watch the livestream on the City’s Youtube page.
Speak to your city council: Everyone is welcome to speak for 3 minutes towards the beginning of the meeting during Public Comment.
Congratulations! You just summarized 92 pages. Have you been enjoying all this rain lately?
